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RUGBY league Immortal Andrew Johns yesterday called on authorities to name individuals in the drugs controversy which has cast a shadow over the NRL and AFL.

Johns, who will be in Mackay on Thursday week for a rugby league charity dinner on behalf of RACQ CQ Rescue, said it was the only way to lift the cloud hanging over the sports.

"They should name individuals and take the pressure off everyone else because I think at the moment everyone is under that cloud," he said.

"I have not played for six years, but I have never heard of those supplements they are talking about.

"I never saw any of it in my time. If you saw me with my shirt off you'd know that is true."

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Johns said today's drug testing of NRL players was extensive.

"I don't know what more they can do," he said.

"They (players) are open to drug tests 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"They have their addresses and phone numbers. Sometimes they come and test you three times a week, even at six in the morning.

"I don't know what more can be done."

Johns, who was named one of Australia's Immortals of rugby league last year after a career with Newcastle, NSW and Australia in which he was regarded as the world's best halfback, is building a new life as a television commentator and was part of the Channel 9 team covering the Indigenous All Stars game at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.

Civoniceva said he felt the same as Johns about the latest drugs controversy.

"At the moment we're all tarred with the same brush," he said.

"We're all waiting for information to come out in the next few weeks, we don't want to be talking about it going into an exciting football season."

Hindmarsh said he wasn't taking too much notice.

"No names, it's all up in the air," the former Eels captain said. "Until they start naming names, I'm not taking too much notice."

Fenech, a Rabbitohs hero from the 80s, agreed that authorities would have to name names.

"I'm one of the old school, where you do the wrong thing, you pay for it," he said.

JOEY JOHNS

RUGBY league superstar Andrew Johns almost lost his boots the last time he was in Mackay.

Johns, or Joey as he is better known to rugby league fans, played with Newcastle in a pre-season trial against the Cowboys at the showgrounds about 10 years ago.

In those days, scaffolding was erected at the showgrounds as temporary grandstands and facilities for everybody were rudimentary.

"I was doing some halves coaching at Manly and I asked (former Mackay player) Daly Cherry-Evans if he was there on that day.

"He said: 'I was right near the dressing shed after the game and I saw your boots. I was going to pinch your boots.' He's a cheeky little bugger. I was coming back from a neck injury, and I remember I scored a try. Our change-room was the toilets."

Despite the lack of facilities, Johns said players were always keen to get out to country centres.

"Most of the Newcastle guys are country boys, and it's always good to get back into the country," he said.

"I don't think any of them had a problem with that."

Johns said he would be interested to see Mackay's new Virgin Australia Stadium when he visits for a rugby league charity dinner next Thursday night in aid of CQ RESQ at the Mackay Grande Suites.

The dinner is a lead-up to the NRL trial match between the Cowboys and Titans at the stadium on Saturday, February 23.

"I heard they had the Bulldogs game there last year (against Storm) but I didn't know they are having another," Johns said.

The Bulldogs host the Knights at the stadium on Sunday, July 7.

Johns said becoming a rugby league Immortal last year had not changed his life.

"It's the biggest accolade I've ever had," he said.

"I'm from a rugby league family and town and for me rugby league is my life.

"But I still get to put the bins out on a Tuesday, so nothing changes too much."